Russian President Vladimir Putin has given the go-ahead for the privatisation of the government’s Goznak printing operation. Goznak is currently responsible for the annual production of 11,000 tons of security banknote paper, 7bn banknotes, 5bn coins, 40m passports and 30 – 45m postage stamps as well as other official documentation, and has a turnover of RUB46bn. BFM